Ah!' said Michel, tempted, 'you have modern poems?' 'Of…
““Ah!' said Michel, tempted, 'you have modern poems?' 'Of course. For instance, Martillac's 'Electric Harmonies,' which won a prize last year from the Academic of Sciences, and Monsieur de Pulfasse's 'Meditations on Oxygen;' and we have the 'Poetic Parallelogram,' and even the 'Decarbonated Odes. . .' Michel couldn't bear hearing another word and found himself outside again, stupefied and overcome. Not even this tiny amount of art had escaped the pernicious influence of the age! Science, Chemistry, Mechanics had invaded the realm of poetry! 'And such things are read,' he murmured as he hurried through the streets, ' perhaps even bought! And signed by the authors and placed on the shelves marked 'Literature.' But not one copy of Balzac, not one work by Victor Hugo! Where can I find such things-where, if not the Library...””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker laments that modern science dominates literature, pushing aside classic works and true art.
In simple terms: Science crowds out classic poetry.
Key Takeaway
Seek balance between science and art.
Themes
literature
science
culture
modernity
Mood
frustrated
reflective
Type
critical
observational
When to use this quote
- library search
- reading classic novels
- educational curricula
- publishing decisions
Key Concepts
cultural shift
technological influence
artistic loss
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we integrate scientific themes without losing literary depth?
- What role should libraries play in preserving classics?
A Different Perspective
Modern scientific focus may also inspire new artistic forms, not just suppress old ones.